Chapter 123: Encounte.


    Killian''s POV


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    It had never crossed my mind that one day I would see my Beta with a man. And what was even more shocking was that the man happened to be the head butler of the pce. First of all, I''m not some close-minded king. A person''s form shouldn''t matter when you truly want them.


    But this was Leonidas.


    The infamous yboy of the pce and an outright worshiper of women.


    "Are you spying on me right now?" Leonidas grumbled.


    I walked past without even ncing at him. "This is my kingdom. I can go wherever I please. Still, I have enough brains to respect someone''s privacy. You''re the one doing things out in the open like this."


    "I still think it''s rude!" he whined.


    "Speaking of manners... shouldn''t you take a good look in the mirror, Beta Leonidas?"


    "Don''t twist my words!"


    I resisted the urge to kick this man out of the pce. Unfortunately, he was still too useful, and it would be near impossible to find another Beta aspetent as he was if you ignored his annoying traits.


    "You''d better go check on my butler. I''m sure he needs a lot offort right now," I said through clenched teeth.


    Without a second thought, Leonidas turned and left, waving two fingers at me. The corner of my eye twitched in irritation. I rubbed my face and shook my head, watching his back disappear down the hallway. I didn''t even want to imagine what would happen next behind the head butler''s bedroom walls.


    "Can you really me him? That new head butler is quite beautiful for a man."


    I groaned at the sound of Elysian''s voice. This was not a conversation I needed right now.


    "Please, Killian. You''ve lived far beyond any reasonable number of years," he said in a mocking tone. "You can''t still be this prude, right?"


    "Elysian, I would truly appreciate it if you stopped talking about this," I replied tly.


    "Ugh! You''re no fun!"


    And just like that, our connection vanished.


    I might have died from stress if I weren''t immortal. And the prime suspect would


    be none other than my own wolf. So I decided. It was time for a king to get some fresh air.


    It was supposed to be an ordinary outing.


    I had grown tired of the pce. Its endless corridors, the lingering scent of


    incense, and the bitter stench of potions that clung to every surface. All of it


    reminded me of therapy, of headaches, and of trying too hard to forget. So, for the first time in months, I chose to leave.


    A day off, as humans would call it.


    I didn''t know how my feet ended up taking me to Aberdeen. Of all cities, why that one? Perhaps it was fate. Or maybe just instinct. I ignored the curious nces, the way people instinctively made space around me. I was used to it by now.


    I sipped bitter coffee at a small street-side café, which was strangelyforting, and wandered along the pavement, watching the human world go by.


    They lived with such certainty. As if everything had already been mapped out from the beginning. Born into innocence, learning to walk, going to school, working while dating, then marrying. That''s all they ever seemed to do over and over


    again.


    Look around. Humans rushing off to work, eyes glued to their glowing little screens,ughing in cafés, chasing buses, carrying far too many shopping bags. No packs. No Alphamands.


    Only rules andws they''ve all agreed to follow. And then no blood oaths. No hunting under the moonlight. It all feels strange, yet to me, strangely peaceful.


    I savored the coffee I bought earlier at the café, ordering it exactly the way Leonidas had taught me. But the calm of that stroll shattered the moment a strange scent hit my nose.


    Sessfully unlocked!.


    Fresh meat and blood. A putrid stench, thick enough to make my stomach turn. Too familiar.


    I followed the trail, no longer caring where my steps had nned to take me. Down a narrow alley, there it was: an abandoned corner store. I stared coldly at the damn scene before me.


    A vampire.


    Chapter 123: Encounter


    Kneeling beside a human, blood dripping from his mouth, his fingers tangled in the dying man''s shirt. Disgust hit me like a crashing wave. I hadn''t seen anything this grotesque in years, not even during the war. Not even during the purges. "Fucking parasite."


    The vampire looked up, a crimson grin spreading across his face at the sound of my controlled voice.


    "You''re not human," he muttered."


    I didn''t give him the answer he was fishing for. He tilted his head, licking his lips with a twisted amusement.


    "A wolf, huh? Leave. This isn''t your business."


    He had absolutely no idea who I was. Good. That made things easier. Maybe a bit


    of exercise would help relieve some stress. I took a step forward. Aberdeen had


    been my territory for a long time, and I wouldn''t allow anyone to taint it.


    "You dare hunt in my territory, you filthy creature."


    “What? Hahaha, don''t joke, kid! This is a free zone. Go back to your mommy before I make you my second meal."


    Hisughter echoed through the empty space. So loud and self-satisfied that he didn''t notice the shift in my stance. The killer glint in my eyes. Before he could open that ugly mouth of his again, I lunged...


    It was quick and brutal. I couldn''t hold back once the thrill took over me. My ws tore through him, their silver tips ripping into his flesh. He screamed, but no one came. I pinned him against the wall, crushed his ribs, and scorched his insides with a single bite. The corridor trembled with the short-lived battle. In the end, all that remained of the vampire was a pile of ash.


    I wrinkled my nose as I realized something. "An artificial vampire. Tch, I thought you were pureblood. No wonder you were so weak."


    Suddenly, the soft tinkling of a bell echoed in the air. I turned around to see a little girl standing there. She was holding a doll with a missing eye. Her tiny fingers clutched its worn fabric arm, herrge emerald eyes staring at me.


    She didn''t cry. She just stared. What a strange child.


    Shouldn''t she be terrified by now?


    At the very least, the child should''ve fainted.


    I stepped closer to get a better look at her. She looked like someone I knew. The keyword was Bloodmoon Pack. She had Mikael''s nose. Rosalyn''s eyes. I exhaled sharply. This was going to be a long,plicated problem.


    I lowered my head. "I''m sorry you had to see that, little girl"


    She blinked innocently. "You killed the scary man."


    "He was dangerous. Where''s your mother?"


    She pointed to the left, calm as can be. "That way. Mommy''s looking for Anna. I''m


    Alice Torrance. Who are you? You kinda smell like us."


    I felt a strange thrum in my chest. I had no idea how to talk to children. At least


    this wasn''t as awkward as I expected, considering it was right after a killing. Then


    I heard a voice calling Alice''s name.


    "Alice!"


    It was Rosalyn.


    The little girl turned toward the voice and waved her over. That''s when I saw Leonidas''s newpanion for the second time. The woman froze in shock, her face going pale. Her hands instinctively cradled her swollen belly.


    "Y-Your Majesty?"